Poli Alert Politics & Civics

Orion Rummler, Mel Leonor Barclay Originally published by The 19th Even as Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin has worked to restrict the rights of trans youth, Virginia remains the sole state in the South with more protections for LGBTQ+ people than discriminatory policies — a status that could change after this …

Jennifer Shutt, Pennsylvania Capital-Star The U.S. House on Thursday approved a $14.3 billion spending bill to aid Israel in its war against Hamas, but the measure stands no chance of passing the Senate and has elicited a veto threat from the White House. The 14-page bill, one of the first …

Jill Nolin, Georgia Recorder State officials will appeal a federal judge’s ruling that struck down Georgia’s 2021 political maps for diluting the voting strength of Black Georgians. But state officials will not try to block last week’s ruling while the appeal is being heard, according to a notice filed with …

Mitch Perry, Florida Phoenix Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis gave a rousing speech at the Republican Party’s Florida Freedom Summit in Kissimmee on Saturday, focusing on tough talk on immigration and reversing what he believes is America’s decline. But despite the cheering crowd, DeSantis remains underwater in the GOP presidential race. …

  Tens of thousands of people gathered in Washington, D.C., on Saturday afternoon to join a massive demonstration protesting the ongoing Israeli military campaign against Hamas and the bombing of Gaza. They filled the streets, rallying at Freedom Plaza, and in front of the White House, calling for an immediate …

Emma Davis, Maine Morning Star The issue at hand is freedom, freedom to live safely in the United States, President Joe Biden said Friday afternoon in front of Just-In-Time Recreation, one of two locations in Lewiston where a shooter opened fire last week, killing 18 people and wounding 13 others. …

Candice Norwood Originally published by The 19th This week Gov. Mike Parson of Missouri appointed Judge Ginger Gooch to the state Supreme Court, solidifying a 4-3 woman majority on the bench. Missouri is one 14 states where women hold most of the seats on the highest courts. The move comes …

Former Speaker Kevin McCarthy is currently in the spotlight as he contemplates whether to run for re-election in 2024. In a recent interview with CNN’s Manu Raju, McCarthy shared that he will take the upcoming holidays as an opportunity to discuss the matter with his family before making a decision. …

Jacob Fischler, Michigan Advance State and local election officials face threats and intimidation, driving experienced workers out of the profession, a panel of election officials told a U.S. Senate committee Wednesday. Conspiracy theories have fueled a more hostile environment for election workers, which has led many to quit, creating more …

  The Senate has confirmed President Joe Biden’s picks to be the top officers in the Navy and Air Force, breaking the deadlock over senior military promotions. Adm. Lisa Franchetti was confirmed as chief of naval operations, and Gen. David Allvin was confirmed as Air Force chief of staff, both …

Representatives Ken Buck, a Republican from Colorado, and Kay Granger, a Republican from Texas, have both announced that they will not seek re-election in the upcoming year. Their decisions come after a period of turmoil within the Republican conference, especially during the election of a new speaker of the House. …

Jake Johnson, Common Dreams Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin on Thursday became the first U.S. senator to call for a cease-fire in Gaza and Israel, joining the head of the United Nations, human rights organizations, and nearly two dozen House progressives. Durbin (D-Ill.), the number two Senate Democrat, said during a …

Ashley Murray, Michigan Advance Lawmakers in the U.S. House of Representatives voted to quash an effort to censure Michigan Democrat Rashida Tlaib after Georgia Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene accused her of “antisemitic activity.” The motion to table the resolution, introduced by Greene on Oct. 24, succeeded in a 222-186 vote …

Rep. George Santos, the New York Republican who has been indicted on federal fraud charges and admitted to lying about his background, narrowly survived an effort to expel him from the House of Representatives in a bipartisan vote on Wednesday. The expulsion resolution, led by his fellow New York Republicans, …

Jennifer Shutt, Maine Morning Star President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden will travel to Lewiston, Maine on Friday in the aftermath of a deadly mass shooting there in late October. “The President and First Lady will pay respects to the victims of this horrific attack and grieve with …